Towards a better understanding of marine
bacterioplankton dynamics

Christina Preston, Ph.D.
MBARI

Wednesday, February 9, 2005
Pacific Forum – 3:00 p.m.

Marine picoplankton mediate many oceanic biogeochemical processes, but much of their
biology and ecology remains unknown. The application of molecular phylogenetic techniques and, more recently,
advances in genomic methods have broadened our understanding of microbial
diversity and distribution, and aided in revealing the genomic content and
metabolic capabilities of marine microbes. For example, we discovered a free-living benthic microbe containing a
RuBisCO gene, raising the possibility of carbon fixation in the deep sea.
Molecular probes designed from genetic data
can also be used to interrogate field samples collected using remotely operated
instruments (e.g. Environmental Sample processor). Real time data on temporal scales not obtainable with routine
bacterioplankton surveys should provide insight into the activity and abundance
of specific marine microorganisms in context with chemical, physical, and other
biological measurements, and eventually could elucidate the distribution and
expression of genes involved in particular nutrient cycles.